Non-interfering succession-movement fire-alarm signaling-machine.



G. O. CRANIVIER & G. V. TUDHOPE.

NON-INTERFERING SUCCESSION MOVEMENT FIRE ALARM SIGNALING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 26, 1914.

1 1 52,7 1 0. Patented Sept. 7', 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

, WITNESSES: 1NVE/VTORS COLUMBIA FLANOGRAPH cc..WAsI-IINGTON. D. C,

G. O. CRANMER & G. V. TUDHOPE.

NON-INTERFERING SUCCESSJON MOVEMENT FIRE ALARM SIGNAUNG MACHiNE APPLICATION FILED FEB. 26. 1914- 1 1 52,7 1 O. Patented Sept. 7, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WfT/VESSES: INVENTORS.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co.. WASHINGTON. 0. c4

5 men.

GEORGE O. .CRANMER AND GEORGE V. TUDI- IOf PE, 0F OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

NON-INTERFERING suoonssron-ivrovniunnr Finn-A ARM SIGNALING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

j Patented Sept. "2, 19 15.

Application filed February 26, 1914. Serial No. 821,212.

To all whom; it may concern.

Be it known that we, GEORGE O. CRANME-R and Gnoncn V. Tuorrorn, citizens of the United States, residing at Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Non-Interfering Succession- Movement Fire-Alarm Signaling-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates particularly to improvements in non-interfering successionmovement signaling devices, as, for example, fire alarm signaling devices where a plurality of such devices or stations are included in one normally closed electrical circuit connected operativcly with means for receiving alarm signals, located at some cen tral station.

The invention is designed to control the release of a signaling mechanism of which a series of makes and breaks in the normally closed electrical circuit constitute the characteristic signal.

One object of the invention is the provision of a device of that class, which Will be a part of a fire alarm box and prevent the simultaneous transmission of more than one signal over any one circuit, and obviate the resulting confusion at the receiving end.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electro-responsive device which will detain the motion of any signaling mechanism which might be otherwise conditioned for operation, during the transmission of a signal by another signaling device on the same circuit, and the subsequent release is succession of each signaling mechanism so conditioned.

The invention also has for an object certain improvements in existing types of succession movement fire alarm signaling machines. The means most generally in use to accomplish successive release and transmis sion of signals, necessitate thecon'tinuous operation of the driving motor between the time the mechanism is started and that time when the circuit is available for the transmission of its own particular signal. In that type of machine driven by a spring 1110- tor the energy ofthe spring might be spent before the line became available, in which case the alarm would be lost.

In our invention the desired successlon feature is accomplished by means or an electro-responsive device and the limited amount of stored energy in the driving spring is only expended while actually transmitting a signal. l/Vhen the mechanlsm of our invention is placed in an operative position the electro-responsive device holds the signaling train inoperative until the completionof signals previously started. The signaling train remains locked in its initial position and almost immediately upon the completion of the preceding signal is released and transmits the required number of full and complete rounds without consuming valuable time in returning to its normal position.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a non-interfering succession device which may be installed in fire alarm boxesnow in use, not having these features, necessitating only slight alterations in the construction of said boxes, andno change or alteration in the external circuits, ma chines or instruments functionally connected therewith.

This invention is particularly adapted for use with an automatic repeater where said repeater is used in conjunction with a plurality of box circuits, to repeat box signals to one or more stations or fire companies. It will be apparent from the ac companying detailed description that if said repeater were actuated by the signal impulses caused by the action of some sign-ah ing device in any one of the normally closed box circuits, to open and hold open all other box circuits during the continuance of said impulses, the driving motor of any signaling device placed in an operative position in the mean time would not be deencrgized, but would remain inactive and conditioned to operate when the line became available, regardless of the number of preceding signals or intervening time.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and falling within the scope of the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification: Figure F0. 1 is a diagrammatic sketch of the mechanical parts and circuit arrangement. For purpose of convenience, the main line circuit isshown in heavy lines. Fig. No. :2 shows any signaling trainand the manner in whichthe invention cooperates with the same to accomplish the purposes specified. Fig. No. 3 is a front elevation of the invention mountedon the rear plate of a the alarm box mechanism, showing only those parts of the signaling train with which it directly cooperates. In this view the electromagnet armatures and other co-acting parts are shown in their relative position during a certain interval after actuation and before the release of the signaling train. Figs. Nos. 4, 5 and 6 are front elevations withthe electromagnets removed and other parts broken away, showing the relative positions of electromagnet armatures and coacting parts at certain intervals during the actuation, detention and final release of signaling train. Fig. No. 7 is a top view of the assembly showing the horizontal arm of the locking lever transparent through which may be seen the arrangement of shunt springs on the under side. The particular device herein described in detail is intended to operate on a normally closed circuit. ,Similar reference characters designate like parts throughout the severalfigures.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, the invention includes an electromagnet A, so constructed as to retard demagnetization either by virtue of the self induction of the winding or the inductive effect of a closed conductor in the field of said electromagnet. For the purpose of illustration such a closed conductor is represented in Fig. No. 1 as being a slug 1 through which the core of electromagnet A projects.

The slow release of the armature A is the essential feature of the invention and as we are the first, so far as we are aware, to employ the slow release effected by induced currents in a closed conductor for the purposes specified, we desire to broadly include the same within the scope of this invention.

A gravitating prop 2 is pivoted transversely on the pole piece of electromagnet A, and is adapted when in the vertical position to engage the under side of locking lever arm 3 and holds the detention arm 4, of said locking lever in engagement with the teeth of the escapement wheel 5.

The gravitating armature 6 is pivoted on the pole piece of electromagnet A, and carries an adjusting screw and locknut.

Inthe normal condition of the box before it is pulled the prop 2 is engaged by the outer beveled edge of the arm 3 and held in its outward position. The prop engages the armature 6 to hold it in retracted position so that it cannot be attracted by the magnetism of the magnet A until the prop 2 is mechanically drawn toward the pole piece of the electro-magnet in pulling the box as here inafter described. 2

Armature 6 carries a lever? which serves the purpose of closing the contacts 8 when the armature is released, thereby shunting out the winding of electromagnet B. The armature 9 is pivoted on the pole piece of electromagnet B, and when attracted is adapted to close the contacts 10 thereby shunting out the winding of electromagnet A, at the same time slightly raising the lever 3 to free the gravitating prop 2. The locking lever is pivoted at 11 and has two arms extending radially from the hub, one of which 4, locks into the teeth of the escapement wheel, while the other 3, is supported by prop 2.

The character wheel 12, when driven by the spring motor causes a series of breaks in the main line circuit. The driving mechanism of the signaling device may be any of the well known forms, as for example the spring 13 having one end secured to the winding shaft 14, the other end being secured to the fixed post 15, a wheel 16 also being carried by the shaft 14. Gear 17 is loosely mounted on the winding shaft 14 and carries a ratchet dog which engages the toothed wheel 16 such a way as to be turned upon the shaft by gear 16 only when the latter is driven by the action of the spring 13 in unwinding. The gear 17 is in mesh with pinion 18 carried on shaft 19, which also carries flanged gear 20 meshed with pinion 21 carried on the shaft 22, which also carries gear 23. Gear, 23 meshes with the pinion 24. Pinion 24 is carried on the shaft 25 with the escapement wheel 5, said escapement wheel being caused to run slowly by means of the escapement 26. Shaft 22 carries the character wheel 12 and also the ratchet wheel 27,which permits rotation in only one direction. One of the plurality of stations on the circuit is represented in dotted lines in Fig. 1 at 28. The central station means for receiving signals, is conventionally represented by 29. The starting lever 30 is adapted to be initially actuated by means of the starting hook 31 and consists of a member 32 having projection 33, which engages a slot in the flanged stop wheel 20, and a member 34, pivoted to some fixed point. Wedged into the right hand end of member 32 is a rod 35, which passes through a hole drilled in the end of member 34 of the proper size'to permit a free sliding motion. A pin 36 through the rod 35 works back and forth in the vertical slot through the member 34 and limits the length of travel horizontally of the member 32. The spiral spring 37 slipped over the end of the rod 35 with one end seated against the member 32 and the other against a key or pin in the projecting end of the rod 35, by its inherent action would normally draw the two members 32 and 34 together, as shown by solid lines in Fig. No. 2. From this construction it will .be seen that; when the starting hook or pull lever is initially actuated, it engages the starting lever lift ing said lever sufficiently to raise the projection 33 clear of the slot in the flange of the stop wheel, at the same time the member The relative positions of the several parts immediately after the starting hook is pulled is shown in Fig. 3. The spring 40 forces the locking lever against the upper edge of the prop 2 holding said prop in the vertical position. It now the circuit is intermittently broken by some other signaling device the armature 6 will be attracted by electromagnet A during each current impulse. The armature in rotating from the position shown in Fig. 4: to that shown in Fig. 5 will allow the shunt contacts 8 to open and the current to'energize the electromagnet Armature '9 will be attracted and move into position shown in Fig. 3 shunting out the winding of electromagnet A by the same action raising the locking lever arm suliiciently to free the prop 2. The self induction of the short circuited winding ofA and the inductive eflect of the slug 1 will retard the demagnetization of A and hold the ari'nature 6 attracted through one of the short impulses which collectively constitute a signal. The armature 6 attractedholds the prop in the vertical position by engagement with the spring 39 which is mounted on said'prop. Between the impulses of the signal the armature 9 is retracted allowing thelocking lever to fall back on the prop as shown in Fig. 4. The armature 6 will also release on an open circuit but slower than armature 9, and the operation as described will be repeated with each impulse of the signal.

At the end of the signal the line is permanently closed and'B remains energized and holds up the armature 9 sothat lever 3 is slightly elevated until the magnet A de-, energizes allowing its armature 6 and prop 2 to fall back. B being now shunted releases its armature 9 and lever 3being free to drop owing to the retraction of prop 2 releases the clock train so that it sends in its signal. At the same time lever 3 falls against prop 2 in such manner as tohold it in the retracted position until mechanically moved by the act of pulling'the hook. The hooked end of lever 32v in moving to the right when the boXis pulled passes out from under the lug 38 and with respect to said starting lever prop 2 is then free to drop away t'romunder lockinglever arm 3.

Once the signal is started no subsequent manipulation of the hook can in anyway interfere with the operation of the device until the full number of rounds are completed. If the box is pulled when the circuit conditions are normal the release of the signaling train isidentical with the release as described at the end of an interference. When the required number of rounds have been transmitted, the slot in the flanged wheel returning to normal in the direction shown by the arrow Fig. 2, will pick up the projection 33 on the member 32 at a point to the right of its initial position and re turn the same to the initial position shown by dotted lines Fig. 2, compressing the spring 37. 7

While we have described in some detail specific details and arrangements of parts adapted for the practice of our invention, we do not desire to be understood as limiting our invention in its broader use to the particular construction shown and described.

It is desired to include within the scope of this invention the application of the principles herein set forth to all classes of telegraph, signal or automatic calling devices to accomplish non-interference and successive transmission.

It will be apparent that numerous modifications might be made in the specific constructionand arrangement of parts without. departure from the spirit and scope of our invention.

It will be apparent that the specific char acter and arrangement of circuits might be readily changed without departure from the spirit of our invention.

Having thus described our invention what we Wish to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a signaling machine, a make and break circuit device, a driving motor, an electro-responsive device consisting of two electro-magnets, an armature pertaining to each of said electro-magnets, shunt springs controlled by each of said electro-Inagnet armatures to respectively shunt out the winding of the other electro-magnet, a locking lever caused by the act of pullingthe box or setting the machine in the operative position, to engage some part movable with said motor and detain the same, a prop retained in position by said electro-responsive device to engage and hold said locking lever inthe detaining position during the continuance of current interruptions occasioned by the operation of another signaling ma chine on the same circuit, substantially as described.

2. In a signaling machine, a signaling train, a slow releasing non-interfering electro-magnet, combined with a relay adapted. to shunt out the winding of said electro-magnet; a prop controlled by the.

armature of said electro magnet, a locking lever adapted to be retained in position by said prop to detain said signaling train indefinitely during an interruption. in the linejcurrent and to permit the release of said signaling train when normal circuit conditions are restored for a period of time 7 somewhat longer than one of the current impulses which constitute the signal of any similar machine on the same circuit, substantially as described. 7

3. In a signaling box mechanism, a looking lever to detain the motion of said signaling mechanism, a prop to retain said locking lever in the detaining position, an electro-magnet and armature cooperating with said prop, a second electro-Inagnet, said armature when retracted being adapted to short circuit the winding of said second electroi-magnet and when attracted to remove said short circuit, an armature pertaining to the second named electro-magnet adapted to short circuit the winding of the first named electro-magnet when attracted, the two electro-magnets and armatures combined with said locking lever and prop being adapted to effect or permit the release of said signaling mechanism in response to a prolonged flow of current in the box circuit, substantially as described.

4. In a signaling box mechanism of the non-interfering succession signal type, included in a normally closed circuit with a plurality of signaling devices, a signaling train, a slow acting electro-magnet, a second electro-magnet for controlling said slow acting magnet, a prop controlled by the slow releasing electromagnet armature, a locking lever adapted to be held in position by said prop to detain said signaling train during an interruption of the current flow in the main line circuit, and to eifect or permit the release of said signaling train upon a closure in the circuit of longer duration than any of the current impulses, substantially as described.

5. In a non-interfering, succession signaling box mechanism, two electro-magnets, one of said electro-magnets being adapted when energized to shunt out the winding of a second electro-magnet, said second named electro-magnet being slow acting by reason of a closed conductor in its magnetic field, a prop controlled by the armature of said sec- 0nd2 named electro-magnet, a locking lever adapted to be retained in position by said prop to hold the signaling mechanism inoperative during the continuance of the short current impulses of any signal previously started on the same circuit, substantially as described.

' 6. In a non-interfering, succession signaling or switch operating device, an electromagnet provided with a closed conductor in its magnetic field by reason of which demagnetization is retarded, an armature adapted to be held attracted by said magnet during short interruptions in the current flow through its winding, a prop controlled by said armature, a detent coacting with said electro-magnet, armature and prop to prevent the release of the signaling mechanism when the circuit is broken between current impulses, substantially as described.

7 In a non-interfering, succession signaling or switch operating device, an electromagnet which is slow to release when shunted out of the circuit, means for shunting said electro-magnet, an armature adapted to be held attracted by said electro-magnet fora short interval of time after the short circuit of said electro-magnet, a gravitating prop controlled by said armature, a detent coacting with said electro-magnet, armature and prop, adapted to hold the signaling mechanism inoperative during short current impulses and efl'ect or permit the release of the signaling mechanism after a closure of the circuit of longer duration than any of the current impulses which constitute a signal, substantially as described.

8. In a non-interfering succession signaling device, included in a normally closed electrical circuit with a plurality of signaling devices, a signaling train, a shunt relay, an electro-magnet adapted by virtue of the inductive effect of a shunted winding and a closed conductor in its magnetic field, to retain its magnetism fora short time after it is shunted .out of the main line circuit by said shunt relay, armatures pertaining to said relay and electro-magnet, a detent and prop for said detent controlled by said armatures for the purpose of detaining said signaling trainduring the continuance of current interruptions caused by the operation of another signaling device on the same circuit, substantially as described.

9. In a signaling machine, a signaling train, a detent adapted to engage some part movable with said signaling train, a slow acting electro-magnet, a second electro-magnet, a catch adapted to be held by the arma ture of the first named electro-magnet in position to prevent the movement of said detent out of engagement with the said signal- 7 ing train when the said armature is attracted, the armature of the second named electro-magnet when attracted being adapted to engage the said detent and force the said detent out of engagement with the said catch at the same time retaining the said detent in the detaining position, said detent being adapted to be caught and held in the detaining position by said catch when the re-- lease of the first named electro-magnet armature is subsequent to the release of the second named electro-magnet armature, substantially as described.

10. In a signaling machine, a signaling train, a detent adapted to engage some part movable with said signalingtrain,a slow acting electro-magnet, a second electro-magnet, a catch adapted to beheld by the armature of the first named electro-magnet in position to prevent the movement of the said detent,

out of engagement with the signaling train when the said armature is attracted, the armature oi' the second named electro-magnet when attracted being adapted to engage the said detent and force the same out of engagement with the said catch at the same time retaining the said detent in the detaining position, the said catch being released by the retraction of the first named electromagnet armature thereby permitting the disengagement of said detent from said signaling train when the release of the second named electro-magnet armature is subsequent to the release of the first named electrot-magnet armature, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE O. CRANMER. GEORGE V. TUDHOPE.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR D. STRINGFELLOW, A. G. Rooms.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

